Guanajuato Review - Bringing Flavor and Fun to North Shore Dining

For those of you that mourn the loss of Glencoe’s Wholey Guacamole, fear not. No longer will you have to travel to Glenview or Evanston for that authentic yet contemporary Mexican cuisine. Guanajuato Restaurant and Tequila Bar in Glencoe provides a taste of small town Mexico in the heart of the north shore.

Guanajuato (helpfully pronounced juan-a-wotto on the sign) is named after the home state of owner and executive chef Margarita Challenger. The first step into the restaurant and the adobo yellow walls and imported Talavara ceramic wall hangings make the space feel cool and comfortable. Rich oak surfaces with tile insets and exposed brick archways are inspired by the restaurants of Dolores Hidalgo, a city located in Guanajuato.

A few more steps in and the sights fall victim to the smells. Rich, meaty aromas emanate from the kitchen, carrying overtones of cilantro and freshly squeezed lime juice, smoky chiles, fresh seafood, and savory garlic. By the time I take my seat my mouth is watering and I am ready to eat.

Margarita is gracious enough to spare precious few moments during the start of the dinner rush to discuss her philosophy. She is utterly devoted to her customers. From early in her ownership of Wholey Guacamole, Margarita continually tweaks her menu based on customer feedback. Many of the dishes from the much smaller Guacamole menu were transported to Guanajuato, with many meaningful additions. Margarita is looking forward to sharing her family recipes and modern twists on classic Mexican fare, pouring her heart and soul into her food.

Typically being a steak burrito guy (with avocado, naturally), I throw myself at the mercy of the recommendations of Margarita. Our meal begins with Guanajuato Guacamole, served with jicama and cucumber and garnished with radish. The guacamole had great flavor and consistency, with coarsely mashed avocado, onion, cilantro and lime, made fresher when paired with the crispy sweet jicama and cucumber.

I was then presented with a flight of tequila shots arranged from light to dark and garnished with radish and spicy grilled scallops in addition to the traditional lime. The Tierras Blanco was smooth and fruity, great on its own or in a fresh squeezed lime margarita (my girlfriend let me have a sip). The Alma de Agave Reposado was richer and slightly smoky bodied, but had a velvety sweet finish. The Frida Kahlo Anejo was distinctive, slightly tarry, smoky like well aged bourbon but with a good tequila kick, and no lime needed. The menu boasts over 40 tequilas, ranging from $7 - $71, the more sophisticated selections being served in snifters to enhance the experience.

Guanajuato’s entrée selection is expansive, including a number of seafood, beef, poultry, and vegetarian dishes. It was recommended I select El Molcajete, a slow-simmered layer of cactus, onion, steak, and black beans bubbling under a rapidly melting layer of cojita cheese, garnished with whole bunches of cilantro and crowned radishes. Bubbling, I mention, because this dish is served in a molcajete, a traditional Mexican grinding stone, that has been fire heated and lay intimidating with a carved pig head and license to scald. Spooned into a tortilla or eaten straight from the bowl (carefully), the ingredients are fresh, the portion is huge, and it was fun to eat. No salsa needed, unless you like it extra spicy, which I found out the hard way.

Pleasantly full, I still stole a bite of the Enchiladas Poblanos, a rich and tangy yet mild and flavorful mole driven enchilada dish. The poblano mole sauce had a smooth texture, and a garnish of pickled onion gave the dish an added dimension of flavor. The prospect of dessert seemed out of the question, until the server mentioned their selections of sweet and savory ice creams. With choices like mole, tequila, avocado, and chocolate, the ice cream is prepared in a method Margarita picked up in Guanajuato, and has a unique flavor and texture .

The heart put into this restaurant is clear. Guanajuato will evolve over time, changing bits of their menu or their drink selections until Margarita creates an experience enjoyed by her customers and reflective of the diverse heritage of Mexican cuisine. With great food and drink at reasonable prices, Guanajuato is worth the scenic drive up the shore line.

More info:

Guanajuato is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located at 73 Green Bay Road in Glencoe, IL. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner 11 am – 10 pm seven days a week. The bar is open Monday – Wednesday from 4 pm – 10 pm; Friday 4 pm – midnight; Saturday from noon – midnight; and Sunday noon til 10:00 pm. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Guanajuato at (847) 242-0909 or online at www.myguanajuato.com